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Radiation Protection Program

Queen’s University is committed to the prevention of illness and injury through the provision and maintenance of a healthy and safe working, learning, and living environment for its employees, students, and members of the broader University community, in accordance with the Policy Statement on Health and Safety issued by the University Secretariat and Legal Counsel.

Consistent with this Policy, all activities involving radioactive materials or devices emitting ionizing radiation shall be conducted in a manner that minimizes risk and prevents unnecessary exposure. The University requires that radiation hazards be identified, assessed, and effectively controlled. Queen’s University is firmly committed to the principle that all radiation exposures shall be maintained As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).

The Radiation Protection Program (RPP) is designed to ensure compliance with applicable federal and provincial regulatory requirements while promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement in all radiation-related activities. It applies to all activities involving nuclear substances and radiation devices conducted under the authority of the University’s Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices (NSRD) licence(s), including:

  • University teaching programs and research projects;
  • Research conducted in University facilities;
  • Research funded by external agencies but administered through the University;
  • Any additional activities deemed to fall within the jurisdiction of the Radiation Safety Committee.

The Scope of the program covers the use of sources emitting:

Ionizing Radiation

  • Radioisotopes (unsealed/open sources)
  • Sealed radioactive sources
  • X-ray emitting devices

Non-Ionizing Radiation

While not regulated under the NSRD, the University also maintains oversight programs for non-ionizing radiation sources, including:

  • Lasers and laser systems
  • Microwaves (In preparation)
  • Radiofrequency (RF) emitting devices (In preparation)

These sources are managed under separate institutional safety programs aligned with applicable federal and provincial requirements.

Radiation Permit

A Queen’s radiation permit must be obtained before ordering radioactive materials (open or sealed sources). Follow this link to download the Permit Application Form (PDF, 179 KB). Once completed, submit the form to Safety@queensu.ca to the attention to the Radiation Safety Officer.  

÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ Radiation Safety Manual 2025 (PDF, 2.2 MB)

This Manual contains basic information regarding nuclear physics, as well as the policies and procedures for the use of radioactive materials at ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ to fulfill the requirements of the conditions of ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices (NSRD) Consolidated Licence. 

Radiation Safety Procedures (PDF, 334 KB)

The University procedures listed are specific to the ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ RPP and are controlled by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. 

The Principal of ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ has appointed the University Radiation Safety Committee to carry the advisory responsibility for the overall operation of the University Radiation Safety Program. 

Radiation Safety Committee Term of Reference (PDF, 93 KB)

The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) works under the advice of and reports to the Chair of the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) and the Director of Environmental Health and Safety on all matters pertaining to radiation safety.

 At Queen’s the RSO is also the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) and the X-ray Safety Officer (XRO)

Raico Laria-Lamela

Queen’s Designated RSO-LSO-XSO

Department of Environmental  Health and Safety

Queen’s University |355 King Street | 1 st Floor, West Wing, Room 107 | Kingston, ON | K7L 3N6

Email: lamelar@queensu.ca

Phone: 613-533-6000 ext. 78820

Website: 

Departmental Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

The ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ Laser program is designed to assist members of the university community in meeting the requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, and other relevant federal and provincial regulations. 

All Class 3b and 4 laser systems must be registered with the Department of Environmental Health and Safety before installation and operation. Follow this link to access . 

Laser Safety Manual 2025

Laser Safety Operating Procedure (SOP-Radiation-02) 
This Standard Procedure (SOP) outlines the basic safety rules to be considered by an authorized user working with laser and laser products class 3B and 4 to eliminate the exposure to beam and non-beam hazards. 

The ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ X-ray Safety program is designed to assist members of the community in meeting the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), Radiation Protection Service, as part of the Radiation Protection Program. 

All x-ray generating devices, including portable tubes, cabinets and fixed beams machines, must be registered with the Radiation Protection Office of the MLITSD before installation and operation. Use the link below to start the registration process. Follow this link to access the . 

X-Ray Safety Manual 2026 (PDF, 653 KB)

If there is an exposure incident for which you have a Standard Operating Procedure that indicates you should contact Walsh and Associates during normal business hours, contact their main office in Belleville at 613-966-4114.

  • Outside of those defined incident types, or if unable to contact Walsh and Associates, if there is an exposure incident requiring urgent medical attention then workers should go to the Kingston Health Sciences Centre – Kingston General Hospital (KHSC – KGH) Emergency. Location of the  (Google Maps) at Kingston General Hospital.

Routine radiation or laser related matters:

÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ employees and students working in or around laboratories with radiation or laser hazards may use the services of the Walsh and Associates Occupational Health Services clinic for routine matters such as:

  • respiratory assessments related to respirator use for those with certain medical conditions
  • eye screening (Central Field Testing using Amsler Charts) at the beginning and end of employment for Queen’s  employees who use 3b and 4 lasers
  • medical counselling as necessary for certain hazards for which a Queen’s SOP has been written

For more information, including how to make appointments or how to create an SOP for specific potential hazard exposure incidents, see the document describing Walsh and Associates Occupational Health Services. (PDF 471 KB)

These radiation safety data sheets provide information on various nuclear substances: their radiation characteristics, detection methods, preventive measures and annual limits on intake. The data sheets are intended to provide WHMIS equivalent information for nuclear substances, similar to that presented in Material Safety Data Sheets.

Open Source Isotopes Commonly used at ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥

Other Isotopes

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission - Radionuclide Information Booklet (PDF 1.28 MB)

Isotopes not included in above noted booklet

  • Iron-59 (PDF 51 KB)
  • Manganese-54 (PDF 50 KB)
  • Radium-226 **Contact EH&S
  • Thorium-232 **Contact EH&S
  • Uranium-234 235 238 **Contact EH&S

Please visit the Laboratory Signage webpage to download the instructions and the templates for the Hazard Door Sign.